Renovation Series: Design Interlude

In this interlude of the More For LES Renovation Series, we step back to admire the design and see how we actually got there — because the final version wasn’t the first one our architect presented.

We considered a number of different layouts, ranging from relatively minimal changes to much more extensive reconfigurations. Each incorporated what we had shared about how we wanted to live in the apartment: smaller, functional bedrooms and a larger, more open living space.

One of the layouts we initially envisioned was based in part on another apartment in the building that our architect had previously designed. But once measurements were taken, we discovered a structural condition that prevented us from creating the bedroom entrance and hallway we had originally planned.

That meant reconsidering the layout — and confronting one of the realities of renovating an existing apartment. Sometimes the space itself tells you that an idea simply isn’t going to work.

Ultimately, we arrived at an alternative that gave us the entrance, configuration, and overall way of living we were looking for.

The larger lesson is that design is iterative. Looking at multiple options can help confirm what you already prefer, reveal alternatives you hadn’t considered, and make the trade-offs between different approaches much clearer. Working with an experienced architect also means having someone who can challenge your assumptions, offer candid feedback, and help turn strong opinions into a workable design.

Eventually, though, those iterations have to stop. Decisions get made, plans get locked in, and the renovation moves one step closer to construction.

For more Lower East Side real estate insights, articles, guides, tools, and trusted local service professionals, visit More For LES, and stay tuned for the next episode of the Renovation Series.

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More For LES video shorts take you inside the Lower East Side—exploring its properties, people, and places through brief, on-the-ground tours. Equal parts insightful and entertaining, the series captures both the standout moments and the everyday details that make the neighborhood a uniquely compelling place to live.

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